International Travel With Diabetes

I've travelled with diabetes before. I've travelled with syringes and insulin and lancets and all that junk. It's kind of old hat. Though I absolutely DESPISE being called out for an extra search simply because of my pump.

In a couple of weeks I'll be travelling internationally for the first time with diabetes. (Now that I think about it, I think I was in high school the last time I was out of the country period.) So while technically this trip is international because I'm leaving the United States, it's sort of pseudo-international because I'll be in Toronto, Canada, which is like a hop, skip and a jump from Detroit. (And like a five hour plane ride from Phoenix!)

So, I've flown since 9/11 and I've flown since the introduction and retraction of all the anti-terror rules, but never internationally. I'll be gone less than 72 hours, so I plan to carry on my suitcase. Which means everything I'll need will be under more scrutiny. I keep my insulin cold even after it's open, so now I'm wondering what the rules are for ice packs and insulin bottles. And then I remember that I'll be gone less than 72 hours and as long as my pump's reservoir is full I should be golden. Except then I remember that I should plan for the unexpected...

Thinking about travelling with all the supplies needed to maintain a healthy balance can be overwhelming. And I'm only going to be gone for two and a half days! But I'll be in and out of workshops while I'm in Canada and I'm not sure what my meal schedule will be and I really don't want to shell out $20 for a juice in the airport because I can't take it through security.

So I'm off to check the TSA web site so I can be up to date on all the new rules so I don't break any and so I know what to expect when I get to the airport. It's a hassle, for sure, but man am I looking forward to the weather!

Megan HolmesMegan was diagnosed in 2009 with Type I. As an RN, she was familiar with the medical side of her diagnosis; learning to be a good patient on the other hand, was and continues to be the challenge of her day to day life. (Read More)

Michelle KowalskiMichelle Kowalski, a writer, editor and photography hobbiest living in Phoenix, was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in February 2005. In January 2008, as part of her quest to start on an insulin pump, Michelle learned that she actually has type 1 diabetes. (Read More)